Pre-spliced Fiber Optic Closure with Epoxy Encapsulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing information and communication systems face challenges in weatherproofing, installation efficiency, and maintenance due to the need for in-field splicing and improper sealing of closures or cabinets, leading to increased costs and time constraints.
Innovation Solution
A weather-proof information and communication system closure is designed with an outer housing, a splice tray, a circuit device, a cable stub, and an epoxy filler, which reduces installation and maintenance time by allowing pre-spliced connections and providing an IP68 rating for water submergence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional closures or cabinets are used for storing signal processing devices, then the devices are protected from weather conditions, but the installation is expensive and subject to strict time constraints requiring splicing in a specific window of time
Solution Approach 1:
The fiber optic cables are pre-spliced to the circuit device before the device is installed in the closure. This preliminary splicing action eliminates the need for time-consuming in-field splicing operations, allowing installation to occur outside of strict time windows while maintaining weather protection benefits
2Reliability
If traditional closures or cabinets are used for storing signal processing devices, then the devices are protected from weather conditions, but the seals and gaskets may be improperly replaced making the closures susceptible to water infiltration
Solution Approach 1:
The closure uses an epoxy filler material that encapsulates the circuit device and creates a composite structure with the housing. This epoxy composite provides superior sealing and protection against water infiltration compared to traditional removable seals and gaskets, eliminating the reliability issues associated with improper seal replacement
3Ease of repair
If traditional closures are used with removable seals and gaskets, then the closure can be opened and closed for maintenance, but the seals may be improperly replaced reducing weatherproofing effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit device is pre-assembled with pre-spliced fiber optic connections before being encapsulated in the closure. This preliminary assembly allows the device to be installed as a complete unit, reducing the need for subsequent maintenance operations that would require compromising the seal integrity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution significantly reduces installation and maintenance time, enhances weatherproofing, and minimizes the risk of water infiltration, thereby lowering operational costs and improving the reliability of information and communication systems.
Implementation Method 1
The epoxy filler encapsulates the circuit device and the splice tray. The epoxy filler provides a seal over the circuit device and the splice tray thereby making it weather-proof and/or having an ingress protection 68 (IP68) rating so that it is submergible in water.
Data Source
AI summary
An enclosure for spliced cables includes an outer housing, a splice tray, internal circuitry, a first fiber and a cable stub. The splice tray and the internal circuitry are positioned inside the outer housing. The first fiber may be connected to the internal circuitry. The cable stub includes a second fiber spliced to the first fiber to form a splice. The splice is configured to be positioned on the splice tray so as to protect and support the splice. The internal circuitry includes a downstream monitor channel fiber, an upstream monitor channel fiber, a downstream channel fiber, and an upstream channel fiber.